Process for making a detergent composition



Patented Sept. 18, 1951 I PROCESS OR MAKING; ADETERGENT r 1 COMPOSITION Juan M. Guastavino, Buenos Aires, Argentina "No'Drawin'g Application September '7, 1949, Se-

rial No. 114,456. In Argentina July 1 1946 2 Claims.

This invention relates to detergent compositions and to the process of making them, and is particularly concerned with a gel-like detergent composition adapted for removing dirt, grease, oils and the like from the human skin without requiring the supplementary use of water.

Soaps and detergent compositions commonly employed for cleansing the human skin generally involve the emulsification of the dirt or grease in water, the soap or detergent merely acting as an emulsifying agent, or they involve the mechanical action of gritty particles, and water is required as a supplementary rinsing agent.

It is an object of the invention to provide a detergent composition which is effective for removing dirt and grease from the human skin and which does not require the use of any water, either in the course of the cleansing operation or as a supplementary rinsing agent.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for making a detergent composition of the character indicated.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a detergent composition comprising a gellike vehicle composed of ammonium leate,-sodium oleate and water, and an organic solvent derived from petroleum dispersed in said vehicle. The vehicle is formed, in accordance with the invention, by treating oleic acid with ammonium hydroxide in the presence of the solvent to form ammonium oleate, and thereafter adding sodium hydroxide and water. The composition prepared in this manner is gel-like and exists in a state of physical-chemical equilibrium, and when rubbed upon the human skin, as when it is rubbed between the hands, it liquefies to from a fluid which loosens and absorbs or dissolves any dirt or grease. The liquefied composition together with the absorbed dirt and grease is then easily wiped off with a cloth or piece of absorbent paper, leaving the skin clean and soft. It is not necessary to use water with the composition at any stage of the cleansing operation.

The organic solvent which is employed in forming the composition of the invention is a petroleum-derived mineral terebinth essence a petroleum hydrocarbon fraction) having a boiling range of 130-190" C., and a specific gravity of 0.77-0.825.

, The desirable properties of the composition are obtained when the amonium oleate and sodium oleate are formed in situ by the successive action of ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide upon the oleic acid in the presence of the solvent, water being added to adjust the consistency of the final composition. During the formation of the oleates and the incorporation of the solvent and water, the ingredients are continuously agitated, as by a stirrer, until the mass had acquired a gel-like consistency. The ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are conveniently used as 10% and 20% solutions respectively, although it will be apparent that solutions of other concentrations are suitable.

In forming one embodiment of my invention the several ingredients are employed in the following general proportions, all parts being by weight:

Parts Oleic acid 15 to 25 Ammonium hydroxide (10%) 5 to 12 Sodium hydroxide (20%) 4 to 6 Mineral terebinth essence to 120 Water 10 to 20 Although not essential from the standpoint of the detergent action of the composition, a small amount of glycerine, e. g., sulfanilamide, are advantageously added to the composition to improve its general efiectiveness upon the skin. Indeed, any germicidal agent which does not react with the other components may be used.

The following specific example, wherein all parts are by weight, is further illustrative of the invention, without, however, being intended as a limitation thereon:

In a vessel provided with an efficient stirrer were introduced 20 parts of oleic acid, parts of a mineral terebinth essence having a boiling range of 130 to 190 C., and -8.5 parts of 10% ammonium hydroxide. There were then added about 5 parts of 20% aqueous sodium hydroxide, 15 parts of water, 2 parts of glycerine and a small amount of sulfanilamide. Upon continued stirring the composition assumed a gel-like consistency and was readily liquefied by rubbing a portion of it between the hands.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 727,292, filed February 7, 1947, now abandoned.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A process of making a detergent composition for use on the human skin which comprises, reacting 5 to 12 parts by weight of 10% ammonium hydroxide and 15 to 25 parts by weight of oleic acid with continuous agitation in the presence of 100 to parts by weight of a petroleum hydrocarbon fraction having a boiling range of to 0., whereby to form an ammonium oleatecontaining mass, adding to said mass 4 to 6 parts REFERENCES CITED by weight of a 20% aqueous sodium hyd The following references are of record in the solution, and subsequently adding 10 to parts me f this patent;

by weight of water and 1 to 3 parts by weight of giycerine and continuing agitation until the com- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS position acquires a gel-like consistency. Number Name Date 2. A process for making a detergent composi- 1, 98,664 Teach Sept. 7, 1926 tion for use on the human skin, which comprises 1,728,721 Bryson Sept. 17, 1929 mixing with continuous agitation 15 to parts .946.765 Schefl'er Feb. 13, 1934 by weight of oleic acid, 5 to 12 parts by weight of 10 10% ammonium hydroxide and to parts FOREIGN PATENTS by weight of a petroleum hydrocarbon fraction Number f x Date having a boiling range of to C. and a 81934 Great Bntam 1913 specific gravity of 0.770 to 0.825, whereby to form OTHER REFERENCES an ammonium oleate-containing mass, adding to 16 said mass 4 to 6 parts by weight of 20% aqueous sodium hydroxide and 10 to 20 parts by weight of water and continuing agitation until the mass acquires a gel-like consistency.

JUAN M. GUASTAVINO. v 20 Industrial So1vents,Me11an, 1939, pages 121-122. 

1. A PROCESS OF MAKING A DETERGENT COMPOSITION FOR USE ON THE HUMAN SKIN WHICH COMPRISES, REACTING 5 TO 12 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF 10% AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE AND 15 TO 25 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF OLEIC ACID WITH CONTINUOUS AGITATION IN THE PRESENCE OF 100 TO 120 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON FRACTION HAVING A BOILING RANGE OF 130 TO 190* C., WHEREBY TO FORM AN AMMONIUM OLEATECONTAINING MASS, ADDING TO SAID MASS 4 TO 6 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A 20% AQUEOUS SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ADDING 10 TO 20 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF WATER AND 1 TO 3 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF GLYCERINE AND CONTINUING AGITATION UNTIL THE COMPOSITION ACQUIRES A GEL-LIKE CONSISTENCY. 